Serve the Lord

June 24, 2012

Lesson: Deuteronomy 10:12–22

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 10:12–13

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Introduction

Matthew Henry introduces this section of Moses’ admonitions to God’s people: “When we have received mercy from God it becomes us to enquire what returns we shall make to him. Consider what he requires, and you will find it is nothing but what is highly just and reasonable in itself and of unspeakable benefit and advantage to you. Let us see here what he does require, and what abundant reason there is why we should do what he requires.”

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Q and A—Deuteronomy 10:12–13

The practice of teaching by the use of question and answer is a sure way of learning the truths of God’s Word. In other words, we need to be catechized and then to catechize others. The purpose of the question is not to try to second guess God by our own thinking, but to lead one to what is the truth of the matter as revealed in His Word. For example, the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession asks, “What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?” The answer is clear, “The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments…” The answer comes from the Word of God: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). The question must lead us to what God says about the matter, not what we may think about it.

Thus Moses is led by the Spirit of God to ask the right question, “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee?” The only answer must come from the Lord who does not confuse us but directs us clearly: “but to fear the Lord thy God.” This ‘fear’ is that kind of alarm by which we realize that if don’t follow God, we will travel a road that leads to destruction. It is a fear that is part of our faith or trust in our Lord, by which we are able to fully give ourselves to Him in all ways: “to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good.” There is no command of the Lord that is not given for our good.

This is illustrated in what is called the “Great Commission.” Our Lord commands us as His disciples to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (that they become pupils of the Word, disciples)… Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:19–20). We are to be disciples, learners of the Word, being prepared to disciple others; not on our own power or authority, but on Him who is with us always. We never walk alone; obey His Word alone, for He holds us in His hands, directing us in His way. Therefore we rejoice in the Word He has given us: “Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of the words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not my iniquity have dominion over me” (Psa. 119:29–133). In repentance and faith we hear His Word, and by His presence we desire to obey.

Discussion: What does the Lord require of us and with what assurance do we obey Him?

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Chosen by God—Deuteronomy 10:14–19

The Lord directs our eyes of faith to see who He is: “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all therein is.” As far as we can see with our physical eyes, the glory of the mountains to the glory of stars and planets, there is nothing that does not belong to the Lord, for He has created all that we observe. Even those things which are within, in particular the people who dwell there, they are his also. Those whom He has chosen to be His peculiar people—He gives them an assurance of His love, an assurance of the Creator who cares for He has created: “Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.” The apostle encourages us, as “new born babes” to “desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious;” that in that grace we are “chosen of God, and precious” (1 Peter 2:1–5).

We are called to “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” We are to actively get rid of, by the Word and Spirit, those things which are sinful, hindering our growth in the righteousness of Christ; not stiffening our necks, holding on to what pleases us, letting them become idols to serve rather than God. Why? “For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.” Is there anything in our lives that can give us what the Lord God Almighty can give, and has provided for our salvation and for our daily living? We were once strangers and God so loved us in giving His Son for our salvation; ought we not also so love the stranger in our midst? For our encouragement M. Henry wrote: “having given up ourselves to his service, we must make his revealed will our rule in every thing, perform all he prescribes, forbear all he forbids, firmly believing that all the statutes he commands us are for our good. Besides the reward of obedience, which will be our unspeakable gain, there are true honour and pleasure in obedience. It is really for our present good to be meek and humble, chaste and sober, just and charitable, patient and contented; these make us easy, and safe, and pleasant, and truly great.”

Discussion: If we are chosen by God to be His people, ought we not also to obey Him?

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Serve God in Love—Deuteronomy 10:20–22

Again we hear the words of the Lord: “Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.” In the person of our Savior we are to serve and obey our Lord. He has done marvelous things in Creation and Salvation: “He is our praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great things, which thing eyes have seen. Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the Lord thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.” The Lord is advancing His Kingdom today, His congregations are being planted in every nation; some underground, some in persecution, some seeing the Lord adding to the number He has chosen.

God is our Lord, the King of kings, and His Kingdom is advancing; the gates of hell will not prevail, the wicked will know His judgment. Therefore, let us praise Him with our service, in loving one another, and in the preaching of the Gospel and in obedience to make disciples of all nations. We obey the Word of God with the authority of the Lord. Our victory lies in the Lord alone: “Those who attribute due praise to the omnipotence of God thereby derive a double benefit. He to whom heaven and earth belong, and whose nod all creatures must obey, is fully able to reward the homage which they pay to him, and they can rest secure in the protection of Him to whose control everything that could do them harm is subject, by whose authority, Satan, with all his furies and engines, is curbed as with a bridle, and on whose will everything adverse to our safety depends” (Calvin, Institutes).

So we sing with the psalmist: “Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth” (Psa. 105:1–5).

Discussion: In what ways can we serve and praise the Lord?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.